Bill Cosby’s sudden prison release & overturned conviction SLAMMED by celebs including Debra Messing & Gabrielle Union
DEBRA Messing, Gabrielle Union and Amber Tamblyn led the outraged celebrities slamming Bill Cosby's sudden prison release.
The disgraced comedian, 83, was allowed to walk free on Wednesday after his sexual assault conviction was overturned due to an "unfair trial".
He had vowed to serve all 10 years rather than acknowledge any remorse over the 2004 encounter with accuser Andrea Constand.
, who was once beloved as "America’s Dad," was convicted of drugging and molesting a Temple University employee at his suburban estate.
Five accusers had testified at 's trial. A total of 62 women accused the comedian of assault at the time of 2018 conviction.
Following news of Cosby's release, a slew of celebrities flocked to social media to express their fury.
Will & Grace star Debra Messing tweeted: 'To every woman who was sexual assaulted by #BillCosby my heart hurts for you today and I am full fury. It's horrifying.'
Phylicia, 71, tweeted on Wednesday: "FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected!"
Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air star Janet Hubert slammed Phylicia for her post, raging: "Phylicia what are you thinking!!!
"I don't know you but to say this was terribly wrong. EVERYONE knew what he was doing back then. How could you NOT! I would have said he's old he's out and I'm happy for him, but he still ...guilty. Enough Ya'll we know better. Powerful men do wrong things, Black or white..."
Phylicia, who was recently named Dean of the Howard University College of Fine Arts, later backtracked on her words.
The actress wrote: "I fully support survivors of sexual assault coming forward. Personally, I know from friends and family that such abuse has lifelong residual effects. My heartfelt wish is for healing."
In May, Cosby was denied paroled after refusing to participate in sex offender programs during his nearly three years in state prison.
Judges said there had been a "process violation" by the prosecution as they overturned the conviction - after a previous agreement which lawyers described as "unusual".
Cosby's legal team had made an agreement with previous state district attorney Bruce Castor that he would not be prosecuted in exchange for deposition in 2005 lawsuit brought against him by Constand.
During the deposition he made a series of incriminating statements as he described his sex life and predatory behaviour towards young women.
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He described using his fame to push women into sex acts - such as seducing a teenage model who sent him a poem - along with a pattern of drug taking and claiming he was good at picking up nonverbal cues signalling consent.
Castor had thought there would not be enough forensic evidence without Cosby's testimony - and the civil suit was settled for $3million in 2006.